The Odyssey That Forged a Stronger Athenian
An Athens native returns to Greece after a 20-year sojourn across the Mediterranean and Middle East, covering turmoil and displacement.
refugees
To Receive Asylum, You First Have to be Believed, and Accepted
Mischa Geracoulis reviews the new book from Dina Nayeri on refugees and asylum seekers who must be believed to get through the system.
Displacement, Migration are at the Heart of Istanbul Exhibit
Jennifer Hattam reviews "After the Birds: Utopia" at Istanbul's Sadberk Hanım Museum — an exhibition inspired by refugees.
Fiction: Inaam Kachachi’s The Dispersal, or Tashari
An excerpt from Inaan Kachachi's novel that laments the scattering of Iraqis across the world as a result of war and political oppression.
“The Truck to Berlin”—Fiction from Hassan Blasim
This bleak and hyper real short story by Hassan Blasim is reminiscent of Ghassan Kanafani's novella "Men in the Sun."
The Swimmers and the Mardini Sisters: a True Liberation Tale
Syrian British novelist Rana Haddad reviews the new feature film from Sally El Hoseini on Netflix.
Why Muslim Palestinian “Mo” Preferred Catholic Confession to Therapy
As a Muslim American and scholar of Islam, Sarah Eltantawi finds the new series from Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef cathartic.
We Say Salt from To Speak in Salt
Poet Becky Thompson talks about her new collection of poems devoted to the migrant crisis and the struggle to find home.
“Another German”—a short story by Ahmed Awadalla
An Egyptian refugee in Berlin, longing for a home of his own, hopes love is around the corner.
Two Syrian Brothers Find Themselves in “We Are From There”
Angélique Crux reviews the award-winning documentary from Lebanese filmmaker Wissam Tanios.
“The Salamander”—fiction from Sarah AlKahly-Mills
In this magical tale set in Lebanon and on a mysterious Mediterranean island, people dream of escape while a biologist seeks an elusive salamander.
Joumana Haddad’s “The Book of Queens”: a Review
Laila Halaby on the new novel from Lebanon's multilingual feminist poet and powerhouse.
Music in the Middle East: Bring Back Peace
Our music columnist Melissa Chemam, disturbed by the war in Ukraine, makes the link between Odesa and Beirut via DJ Sama' Abdulhadi.
Ukraine War Reminds Refugees Some Are More Equal Than Others
Observing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a Lebanese American journalist in London, married to a Syrian refugee, finds the racist double standard on refugees unsettling.
Refuge, or the Inherent Dignity of Every Human Being
TMR's editor reflects on the experience of seeking home and refuge.